Quick book recommendations :) from my recent reads...

1. Favorite High Fantasy:
Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1) by Leigh Bardugo - My blog | Goodreads

• Best friend romance, Russian historical feel, well-built/easy to imagine world, dark, grim times for a crumbling country, a true heroine (who goes through SUCH great character development), magic and war and politics and fantastic writing. Need I say more?

2. Favorite Guilty Pleasure:
Regency romance novels by Meredith Duran (in particular: The Duke of Shadows, A Lady's Lesson in Scandal, & At Your Pleasure) - Goodreads

• She builds characters. It's not just a romance novel that has the girl reluctant to be pursued by the player man who'll teach her how to enjoy herself, etc. etc. No, Meredith Duran's novels are so much more. So much richer. Her settings and characters are absolutely wonderful and make the romance that much more sweet and realistic.

3. Favorite Gothic / YA Urban Fantasy? :
Unspoken (Lynburn Legacy #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan - Goodreads

• I'm having a hard time classifying this one--yes, it is a Gothic, but it feels like so much more and has fantasy elements too, and YA doesn't have a lot of gothic novels anyways. ANYWAYS...  This book was absolutely fantastic. Quirky humor, a great heroine, awesome supporting cast, tortured, angsty love, a dark, creepy town--what's not to like? Sarah Rees Brennan has done an amazing job, and I can't wait for the sequel!

4. Favorite Historical Romance:
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers - Goodreads

• Historical fiction at its best with a strong heroine, brave romantic interest, and a tense political situation with enough court intrigue to keep you at the edge of your seats--everything a reader could want and more. 

5. Favorite Genre-mutt:
The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa - Goodreads

• I didn't think dystopia/post-apocalyptic/paranormal romance would mix well together, but I really like Julie Kagawa's latest. She makes vampires cruel and unyielding, true villains (though they're not the only ones), and yet her heroine is one and that's what makes it so brilliant. Allie struggles to keep her humanity, and I loved that about her. The book goes a bit slowly and is a bit long, but the world, the romance, and the heroine make the journey worthwhile.

How many of you have issues with one or more of the following marketing strategies:

A.) X meets X in this thrilling novel!
B.) Fans of X book/author will enjoy this novel!
C.) Fans of X genre will love this!
D.) -- tells this story with the grace of X author etc. etc.
E.) insert other comparison

And how many of how have been annoyed by these comparisons?

Pros of Comparisons:

1. Publisher gets fans of X series/author to be excited about the book

It's no secret that when you compare a book to the Hunger Games, the book is supposed to be an epic dystopian novel. A lot of people look for those kind of comparisons, look for a novel that will replicate the awesome feeling they got from their favorite book, and publishers of course would like to exploit that.

2. Conveys the theme about the book

I believe Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne was marketed as Girl, Interrupted meets Beautiful Creatures. I like how that tells you a few things to expect: gothic elements, paranormal, instant connection.

Cons of Comparisons (given how many I list, you might be able to tell where I stand on the issue ;)):

 1. Inevitably setting yourself up for disappointment

I recently read Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood. If you didn't already know, that book was marketed as A Great and Terrible Beauty meets Cassandra Clare, and those are some pretty hefty comparisons to make. I like both Libba Bray and Cassandra Clare's writing styles, I even like Jessica Spotswood's writing, but they don't compare to one another. The only similarity I could find between Born Wicked and A Great and Terrible Beauty was the repressive society / time period feel. Reading Born Wicked, however, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. It wasn't the book's fault. It was that I had had such great expectations of it after that comparison that I felt like no matter what I ended up reading, it wasn't going to be as great as I had pictured.

2. Why can't the book hold its own weight?

Why do you a need a comparison to other books anyways?  Can't you convey theme and plot and who would like the book without looking to other books? You also have author blurbs--they're supposed to tell you the fans of whom the publishers think will like the book. Besides, the books that make it to the top always seem to hold their own weight; they're the ones that didn't have the comparisons like "Fans of The Hunger Games will love this" (in my opinion at least).

3. Reaching upwards for a fan base

This goes along with what I've already said, but in making comparisons, publishers are always reaching higher and higher, aspiring to reach the level of excitement that another hyped book got. And that takes away attention from the book itself and gives it to another "classic." It has gotten to the point where I don't trust comparisons to The Hunger Games anymore.

What do you guys think?  Are you a fan of comparisons?  Do they make you more or less likely to buy/read a book?

Release Date: May 1, 2012
(Thanks to ATWT for allowing me to participate in this tour!)
Published by: Harper Teen

Destined (Wings #4) by Aprilynne Pike

Laurel now knows the truth: Yuki is a rare Winter faerie, the most powerful—and deadly—of all, and she is working with Klea to conquer and destroy Avalon. With Tamani, David, and Chelsea by her side, Laurel prepares for a fight she never thought she would have to face. 

Filled with heart-pounding action, sweeping romance, and higher stakes at every turn, Destined is the series conclusion that readers have been clamoring for—with a twist that will leave them breathless. 

"Tamani looked at her gravely, and reached up to touch her hair behind her ear. He hesitated for an instant, then his hands found the sides of her face, pulling her to him. He didn't kiss her, just held her face to his, their foreheads resting together, their noses almost touching.

She hated how much it felt like good-bye."


Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+/-) Laurel, the protagonist - I feel like this also comes out of me being older than what I was when I started the series. I liked Laurel then, but now after having read so many other YA books, I don't really feel like I know much about her personality. She's of the healer, gentle type, she's beautiful like most faeries, she's smart enough to mix a bunch of different potions, and she has great instincts (which help her with her Mixer abilities). But I'm still distanced from who she is, and while reading, I didn't feel particularly attached to her.
2. (+) World-building - Mostly this comes in the form of faerie weapons, what Klea comes up with as a Mixer, and what winter faeries can do with their powers, but it was all nice to discover. Aprilynne Pike's got quite a handle on the mythology she's created.
3. (+) War & its Consequences - This is one of those few books that has war in it and has an author who's not afraid to kill off characters or make the consequences grisly. I particularly liked the ending and how that relates to this.
4. (--) High School Drama - In the beginning of the book, there's quite a bit of the high school drama. Chelsea likes David, and David still loves Laurel, and Laurel loves him and Tamani, and Yuki loves Tamani, but Tamani loves Laurel... And this complicated sphere of crushes & love gets discussed, sometimes in terms of in the future, and I kind of wish those sections had just been cut.
5. (+/-) The Romance - Not my type of romance anymore. I wish I'd realized this earlier, but I wouldn't say it's a fault of author so much as the genre. I'm tired of how extreme these paranormal romance relationships are--you're in your teenage years, and you're ready to say you're going to spend the rest of your life with said person? I find it especially hard to believe in Laurel's situation because she was caught in a love triangle, and deciding between David and Tamani was hard for her since she loves them both. On a more positive note, I like Tamani as a love interest, and I like that though they have a pretty extreme relationship, he's not controlling. He's still of the protective/I'll die for you variety, but he and Laurel let each other make their own decisions.
6. (+) Love Triangle Ends Gracefully - Thank God for a love triangle that doesn't end with the author taking a lame approach to ending it. Laurel makes her decision and sticks with it.
7. (+) Author's Note - You don't get to read very many YA books that have author's notes, but I really liked reading what Aprilynne Pike had to say about her series. It's interesting to see how her vision for Wings compared to what I thought of the series as a whole, especially considering what I thought the series had revolved around.
8. (+) The Writing - Pretty simple, pretty easy to read. Definitely for younger teens.
9. (+/-) Pacing - It kept climbing and climbing because the war was ongoing, but this was what made the climax seem weak in comparison. The climax had to be HUGE in order to compensate, and it didn't feel that way for me.
10. (+) The Cover - The covers don't really tell you much about the books, but they do follow the blossom/faerie as a plant deal, and I like how the blue color in this one captures the sadness following war.

Fans of the Wings series should enjoy this conclusion and all the tidy ends Aprilynne Pike ties for her characters.

Returning from the midnight showing of The Hunger Games, I check my Facebook & my twitter. It seems like everyone is agog over it, but I'm not. Here I've organized my rant about why I'm displeased with this movie adaptation. (***I tried to avoid spoilers for those of you who haven't seen it yet***).

First off-- I don't actually consider The Hunger Games one of my favorite books. In fact, I anticipated liking the movie more than the book because it would make everything more visual for me.  Wrong, wrong, wrong.

1. KATNISS BECOMES MORE EMOTIONAL

In other words, Katniss is on the verge of tears more often, more alive in her interactions with Gale, less awkward when it comes to interacting with people.  On one level, this makes me like her a bit more--she's less paranoid over Peeta's intentions, more receptive to the idea of trusting someone; she's friendlier and nicer, doesn't snap at Peeta like she does in the book. On the other hand, I hate that. I'm not even a staunch advocate of the books, and you've made Katniss less manipulative, less paranoid, less stubborn--less of herself. You've also taken away the power of Rue's death by making her more emotional, since Rue's death was one of the only times she actually lets herself feel what she does, but in the movies, that's not the case. I understand that you have to show Katniss in some pain--how else could movie goers identify with her? She can't be too strong--but if you want us to identify with her more, show more of her little struggles, like the one for water (see later point for imbalance in time portioning). Also, from the start, Katniss says she's smart in the movie, but then the directors took away some of her ideas and made others point out things to her.

2. GENDER ROLES

This refers to #1 in part because I feel like they made Katniss "more feminine" and Peeta "more masculine" in order to make them more accessible. Peeta develops an astounding ability to fight. Yeah, he must have done decently when he went up against Cato the first time, so he must not be too bad, but it's less of Katniss saving the both of them so much as them saving each other. Peeta's not awkward in the woods; he's smarter and Katniss worries about him less... until the one scene when she says, "Damn you!  You scared me!" and hugs and doesn't let go... as opposed to the Katniss who struggles with her feelings and shouts at him because she's not sure why she's upset. No, this Katniss is the woman who needs comfort from her man. This Katniss is less independent than book Katniss.

3. THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT SCENES IN THE BOOK GET CHANGED

Rue's death & the berry scene. The berry scene was like 5 minutes total, which is absolutely ridiculous! because it is the focus of the books!  What did Katniss mean? Did she secretly want to oppose the Capitol? What about Peeta? What about everyone identifying with the two of them in that moment?  Besides, they didn't even carry out their bluff, which made the Capitol less scary and more willing to acquiesce to the demands of these two lowly tributes (vs. being forced into it).

Rue's death. My God. That was my favorite scene in the book. I don't understand why it was necessary to change that. The book scene emphasizes the tragedy of the Hunger Games--that Katniss is too late to save her friend, that it's her first kill and this is what the Capitol makes them all do. It also makes her more selfless than what they chose to do in the movie, which is way more instinctual and reflexive than tragic.

4. BEGINNING ANTICLIMACTIC, END NOT GIVEN ENOUGH TIME

There are a lot of scenes in the beginning that I felt could be shortened to make room for scenes at the end. The beginning was way more anticlimactic (and I kept thinking, will you hurry up? Why can't we have more focus on the games themselves than this stuff?) than the end, with the berry scene. In fact, the movie ended kind of abruptly. Less of a cycle where Katniss wakes up alone and is almost alone at the end. I won't mention how it ends but suffice it to say that it focuses less on Katniss and doesn't have that same cyclical effect / mirroring of themes.

5. THE ROMANCE GETS CHEESY (AND TWILIGHT-LIKE)

"I watched you every day." Nooooooo!  You just turned Peeta into a stalker! They also chose not to have it as one-sided as before--I can understand that; the movie makers would probably want Katniss to fall in love with Peeta and not make him desperately in love with her and her manipulative and whatnot... But then there are moments when they gaze longingly at one another and with the line I already mentioned, I couldn't help but be reminded of a certain other book/movie starting with a T... Someone fake-gagged in the theater with me, and I couldn't agree more. Katniss is not a romantic!  Stop making her out to be. Stop making these cheesy scenes of touching each other's faces.  There is a completely different tension in the romance of the book than the movie. Book: What do I actually feel for you? Movie: You're so sweet that I'm falling in love with you and no longer hesitate about touching or trusting you. And since we're not in Katniss' thoughts, we also don't see how she really feels about Gale, though the implications of how Gale feels are clearly there when they cut back to his face.

6. THE WORLD BUILDING IS PHENOMENAL

This was the part was done the BEST. I had a hard time visualizing the outfits Katniss wore--no problem. I had a hard time visualizing the Capitol--no problem. The contrast of District 12 to the Capitol glamour and ridiculous outfits--fan freaking tastic!  Special effects?  Check.  Arena details?  Check.  Everything about the world building was a win.

7. CREATIVE WAYS TO GET THE INSIGHT KATNISS USUALLY GIVES US

I really liked the ways they showed us Katniss' commentary. Telling us certain details about the world through Caesar's eyes, Haymitch's conversations with Katniss and how sponsors work, looking into the mind of the Gamemakers, which Katniss usually just speculates about (i.e. driving her toward her enemies)... They did all of these things well.

8. NOT AS VISCERAL AS THE BOOK

Two things immediately come to mind: the arrow piercing Marvel's throat and Katniss with blood streaming into her eye. One wasn't there, the other wasn't as gory as it was in the book. I can understand why they didn't--they probably wanted to keep the movie PG-13 so that everyone can watch it--but it's sad because that was one of the things I was most looking forward to... Her writing demanded more than what they gave us here in terms of detail.

9. MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT VILLAIN-NESS

On one hand, you get scenes with President Snow, and he's really creepy and scary and a great villain. On the other hand, they don't do the whole Big Brother thing where Katniss is constantly afraid that they will hear her ranting about them. They have Haymitch advising her upfront about her last interview, they have her ranting openly about the Capitol... They do show the cameras in the arena but just to prove that the Gamemakers are constantly adjusting to the circumstances of the tributes. Not to prove that the Capitol is almighty and all powerful.

10. SETTING UP THE NEXT MOVIE IN A NICE WAY

I really liked how they chose to set up the next book/movie by hinting at the idea of a rebellion, putting in the clips about the origins of the first war that caused the Capitol to institute the Hunger Games. That, I think, was done nicely. They also hint at the idea of the love triangle with one of the last scenes of Peeta & Gale & returning to District 12.... In that case, I'm going to hope that the next movie will be better than this one.

If you've watched the movie, what do you think?  Do you agree or disagree with the points I've made?  Also, what did you think of the acting?  If you haven't watched it, what are you most excited about?

Release Date: June 26, 2012
(Thank you to ATWT for allowing me to participate in this tour!)
Published by: Balzer + Bray

A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2) by Suzanne Young

Elise is a normal seventeen-year-old girl until the day she wakes up in a desert park, with no idea who she is. 

After that episode, her life takes a bizarre turn. She’s experiencing unexpected flashes of insight into people’s lives—people she’s never met before. Strangers frighten her with warnings about the approaching Shadows. And although Elise has never had a boyfriend, she suddenly finds herself torn between two handsome but very different young men: Abe, the charming bad boy whose affect on her both seduces and frightens her, and the mysterious Harlin, who’s new to town but with whom Elise feels an urgent, elemental connection—almost as if they are soul mates. 

Now Elise begins to question everything about her life. Why do these guys both want her so desperately? What are the Shadows? Why does the name Charlotte inspire a terrifying familiarity? And who is Elise, really? 

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+/-) Elise, the protagonist - I liked her but I felt distant from her, because I didn't really feel like I knew her character. She's a preacher's daughter, works at a Mexican restaurant, loves her family/protects them, but what does she like? As in she seems like the typical sweet, easy to like girl, but what are her quirks?  It was easier to identify, I think, with Charlotte in the first book based on the way she acts, her relationship with her friends, and the tragedy there, but Elise doesn't have many friends and spends a bit of time confused over what's happening to her. And to be honest, I'm still a little confused about how I feel on this issue because of the book's twist. Also, I can tell that Elise values integrity based on her actions, but sometimes I wanted to scream at her for the things she was doing.
2. (+) World-building - You still get the perspective of a Forgotten, but this time there's more on the Shadows and what that means and more about the characters. Other than that, there's not much world-building, mostly because this novel works best if you've read the first book--it assumes you already know about some of the details, though it provides other parts.
3. (+) Heart-warming - I know that's kind of weird to say, but in a genre so filled with dark and mysterious guys and happenings, this stands out. It stands out because it's the tale of centuries, a good Samaritan, someone who changes the world in a not so typical way with her sacrifice. Paranormal romance is full of dark mystery and forces separating lovers, but these two books are about so much more than that.
4. (+) Character Cast - The main characters from the first book are back and get more developed, especially a certain villain, and you get some new characters, like Abe, his friends, Elise's family, and Harlin's quirky mentor.
5. (--) Need for Sequel? - All that being said, I wonder if there was a need for a sequel. I really liked A Need So Beautiful, and I think I would've liked it better if it were a stand-alone. This novel is good but not as great as its predecessor, and the information you learn in it isn't essential, at least in my opinion.
6. (+) The Romance - Harlin's back! I loved that guy. Him and his motorcycle and the tortured past. The sensitive flirt and artist who's haunted now by his girlfriend's absence. You see how Charlotte's actions in the first book have affected him, and he kind of acts like a jerk but not so much that you're too upset with him. There's also some romance with Abe, but I'm not Abe's biggest fan, and despite his choice at the end, well, he's just too creepy.
7. (+) Thriller-ness - Success on this ground--I didn't know what was going to happen next, and it's dark and chilling and the tone a bit scarier than what happened with Charlotte in the first book, mostly because you see the power of the Shadows at work... though it does take a while to get the story off the ground.
8. (+) Writing - First person present tense worked wonders for this novel. I'm not sure it would work as a thriller otherwise.
9. (+/-) Pacing - A tad uneven. As I mentioned before, the beginning was kind of slow, but once it got going, it was better, and I appreciated that it didn't drag past what the book needed to be. If it was more than 300 pages, I might've gotten bored with it.
10. (+/-) The Cover - This book is darker than A Need So Beautiful, and I like that they've reflected that with the colors, but it still tells you nothing about the novel.

Fans of A Need So Beautiful will definitely enjoy this dark sequel.

Hey, everyone.  I'm hosting indie author Kelan O'Connell today. Take it away, Kelan!

I've officially been blogging for one year now!  Yay!

A new year calls for a new layout. Do you guys like it?  I like the grunge-y but simple feel of it, but it is quite different from my previous one...

Release Date: March 13, 2012
(Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers!)
Published by: Random House

Starters by Lissa Price

HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER 

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man. 

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . .

One of those books that was super hyped but I'm afraid that didn't cut it for me. I really wanted to enjoy this book, but as I'm sitting here, trying to think of how it made me feel, I can't really think of many positives.

Positives:

1. (+) Pacing - One thing I will say is that I didn't put my computer down until I had finished the book. It was easy and quick to read, and I never once got bored while reading it.
2. (+) The Cover - I really like this cover, the sci-fi feel of it, and I even liked the chapter heading decorations, with their little chips. It fits with the book.
3. (+) Unpredictability - Another reason I didn't put down the book was because I couldn't predict what was going to happen next, and even though I didn't feel attached to the characters and was rather disenchanted by other aspects, I wanted to know what would happen.


Neutrals:

4. (+/-) Callie, the protagonist - I could tell that she was strong and clever, protective and wary, but I felt distanced from her. Because she's so focused on survival, you don't really get a chance to know her character--what she likes, what she would do if she wasn't in this situation. There were a few details mentioned here and there, like her ability to use a gun, because her father taught her how to do that, but it doesn't seem like she likes it much.  So what does she truly like?  What distinguishes her from other heroines just like her (i.e. Katniss, for one)?
5. (+/-) The Writing - at times, it was smooth and easy to read... but what bothered me was the use of similes. Car engine purring like a tiger--what does that add to the story except another cliche? There were a lot more than that, and there was one in particular that bothered me--about the garage door opening like the gates to heaven, and I thought this is the author. I'm not sure Callie would believe in heaven after what she's been through. Also, she's not a particularly religious person so it's out of character for her to even think like that, and it shouldn't be in the narrative.
6. (+/-) The Villain - On one hand, you've got this great set-up for a mysterious villain--he's known only as the Old Man, no one's ever seen his actual face, he wears a mask that projects what he wants you to see, even his voice sounds mechanical, etc. etc. But then the plot twist at the end just ruined for me. I couldn't think of him as being dangerous anymore or really think of him without confusion.


Dislikes:

7. (--) World-building - I was left with way too many questions at the end and during this novel. For one, what are spores?  I think I've read about them in microbio?, but you can't just assume your readers are going to know what those are. Secondly, everything about this Spore War bothers me. Why was it fought? What was that Pac... something (another country?)?  Here's the real issue for me: if it's the foundation for your world being the way it is, then you need to explain it. I don't care if you have to add in three info-dump paragraphs--it's better than being left in the dark and not being able to suspend my disbelief.  Also, why do minors have to be claimed?  And what are Renegades?  These details and more are left unexplained when I really wanted more.
8. (--) The Romance - To me, that Michael situation felt incredibly awkward. The first time we're introduced to Michael, Callie doesn't show any sort of romantic inclination to him. I thought there be something there later, like it would grow slowly between them but then the next time we see him, he's asking permission to kiss her? It was like a slap in the face. It seemed so random, and not as established as it could have been. There's another romance but I couldn't get into that one either, because it lacked chemistry. They seemed more like friends, and he in particular seemed like such a pushover (which I understand now, but as I was reading, I just couldn't see the two of them together).
9. (--) Plot Holes - There were a couple of plot holes... like there's this time when Callie collapses, and this other girl thinks that she's drunk... but then a page or so later, Callie expresses surprise at the fact that the bartender would serve the girl a drink.  Why didn't the girl notice this?  And another time that really bothered me was when the villain's minions are chasing Callie. I don't understand how they could've lost her--they can track her; why wouldn't the higher up villains be on the phone with these hired assassins, telling them where Callie is?  To me, that seems like the smart thing to do, especially if you're going to waste resources trying to kill this girl.
10. (--) Contrived - The reason why Callie ends up returning to Prime Destinations felt too contrived to me. Too much like a convenient event meant to make me feel sympathetic for her, Michael, and her brother. And the worst part was that I felt like it could've been fixed with a few strategically placed sentences earlier-- if I had any inkling that that kind of thing could happen, I would've understood it more. We were told about marshalls, but not about that kind of treatment from Enders (and it might've helped if I understood this whole unclaimed minors thing).

Every once in a while, you read a book that wows you from start to finish, that draws you so deeply into the story that you don't even notice the hours passing. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo was one of those books for me. Someone said it was on Netgalley, so I requested it (I don't think that it's there anymore though), and ASJFAJK one of the best books of 2012.  Definitely going on my all-time-favorites list.

No, really, though. This book doesn't come out until June but GAH, I'm dying, you all. I'm dying because I want to add the sequels to my to-read shelf, want to have an actual copy of this book, and most definitely do not want to wait like a year and a half for the next book to be released. I think I've already skimmed through this book like five times, and I finished it like five hours ago (at the time I'm writing this, that is).

Watch out for this book.

Release Date: June 5, 2012
Published by: Henry Holt & Co. BYR

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee. 


Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. 

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

Add it to your Goodreads shelf.
Pre-order it from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Look at Leigh Bardugo's website and her blog.
Follow Leigh Bardugo on Twitter.
Like Shadow and Bone on Facebook.

Do any of you guys ever get irritated with the designs inside books?

1. Font Color


This makes it so much harder to read!  I didn't notice it in Maggie Stiefvater's The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy at first--Shiver's font was a dark blue... but then I noticed it in Linger. I noticed the dark yellow in Legend and the dark red in Anna Dressed in Blood--why?  Do any of you guys enjoy it?  I understand that it's often done to match the cover, but there's a reason why so many papers and textbooks are printed in black and white.  I don't know.  It just seems like such a big risk for the publisher to take unless there are a lot of people who think it adds to the aesthetics.

2. Swirly Designs at Each Chapter Break


This is probably the most common out of all of them. I first saw it with the Iron Fey series, then Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy, and then with Incarnate. I liked the butterfly designs in Incarnate, because the butterfly was symbolic of the book... and the ouroburos in the Prophecy of the Sisters was also symbolic, but having that on every page of the paperback freaked me out a bit.

But I think Iron Fey suffered the most, because the swirly designs add nothing. They're just pretty designs, not symbolic at all.  And I think that may have turned off some male readers from the books, because let's face it, we all do judge a book by its cover and when the curly designs continue inside the book... well, it's hard for me to imagine a guy actually liking that, though I can definitely see a guy liking the story.

3. Unusual Font


The font in Hush, Hush really bothers me. It feels pretentious, and I'm not sure what it's supposed to add? Another example is the diary selection in Blood Magic. Sometimes there are writing selections, and I don't know about you guys, but I prefer it if those were just done in italics and not a curvy font that's way harder to read.

What do you think?  Do you think these extras have any value?

Books I've recently read but would rather write short blurbs for rather than reviews: On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane, the first three books in The Tiger Saga by Colleen Houck, Switched & Torn by Amanda Hocking, and Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne.

1. On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane


The choices I had made led to the moment when fate took over. I would learn a lesson I wasn't prepared for. And Death would be my willing teacher.

• Likes: Abbey, the clean writing. Dislike: Nate's Point of View. I'm not sure his chapters added anything to the story.... But I came into the story, thinking it might be a paranormal romance where Abbey falls in love with Death--I was pleasantly surprised. The book keeps a fast pace, so besides Nate's chapters, it was an entertaining read.

2. Tiger's Curse (Tiger's Saga #1) by Colleen Houck

Passion. Fate. Loyalty.

Would you risk it all to change your destiny? 

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever. 

Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

• The best book of the saga, in my opinion. It takes a little long for Ren to become the man you already know he is, so the beginning's rather slow, but I really appreciated how it wasn't love at first sight. It was slower burning, and Kelsey struggled to let herself be vulnerable (or as Kelsey says, loving the man since she already loved the tiger). And that's a first in the paranormal romance I've read. Plus, I like Kelsey's sarcasm and strength.

3. Tiger's Quest (Tiger's Saga #2) by Colleen Houck

Back in Oregon, Kelsey tries to pick up the pieces of her life and push aside her feelings for Ren. But danger lurks around the corner, forcing her to return to India where she embarks on a second quest--this time with Ren's dark, bad-boy brother Kishan, who has also fallen prey to the Tiger's Curse. Fraught with danger, spellbinding dreams, and choices of the heart, TIGER'S QUEST brings the trio one step closer to breaking the spell that binds them. 

• The first 100 or so pages here were also really slow, because it focused on Kelsey ... living ordinary Kelsey's life. There wasn't much  conflict, some tension though (she still longs for Ren)... But this book establishes the love triangle and actually gives the other romantic interest the time of day. Think New Moon but with adventure.

4. Tiger's Voyage (Tiger's Saga #3) by Colleen Houck

In the third installment of the Tiger series, Kelsey Hayes pushes through the pain of lost love and strengthens her friendship with Kishan. Despite his strong feelings for her, Kishan has agreed to be her ally in helping her reunite with the man she still loves. Together, they seek to help Ren regain his memory and begin the search for the third magical gift—an object of power that will help break the curse that causes them to live part of their lives as tigers. 

They board a luxury yacht and seek Durga's aid once again, who supplies them with her golden weapons. With Nilima, Mr. Kadam, Ren, and Kishan at her side, she soon learns that the task ahead will be even more difficult than the others. Confronting a dark magician, multiple dragons, and terrifying denizens of the deep seems easy when compared to facing the daunting task of stitching up her heart. Just when she thinks she's ready to set her feet on a new path, she is yanked back with a jolt to the one she's determined to leave behind. 

The jarring tug-of-war that ensues for Kelsey's heart leaves her anxious and confused. Combined with the stress of almost being killed every other day, it would appear that saving the tigers is almost more than she can handle. Still, she presses on, knowing that a choice is looming on the horizon. One she cannot put off making for long. 

Tiger's Voyage is an irresistible romance with a barrage of action on the high seas, where a reader will find a treasure chest full of dragons, sea monsters, knights in shining armor, fabled weapons, and enduring love. The tropic waters of India create the backdrop for the latest installment in the tiger series. This novel, a multicultural take on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale, delves into the complex emotional turmoil and pressure associated with not only making the best choice for a nation but also the best choice for yourself.

• If you like the love triangle in The Vampire Diaries, you'll probably like it here. I wasn't much a fan of some of Kelsey's choices (see paragraph 2 of the summary), but Colleen Houck has set up an explosive ending for the last two books, and the Tiger's Saga has the same addictive quality that Twilight had when I first read it (and the writing could still be improved).

5. Switched (Trylle #1) by Amanda Hocking

When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - a world both beautiful and frightening, and Wendy's not sure she wants to be a part of it.

• I'm conflicted as to how I feel about this book. The Trylle Trilogy seems to have the least narrative of any series I've read. On one hand, that means that there's more room for the plot, and it makes the book go faster. But I actually like narrative. It gives me a sense of the character... and that's mostly what I think was lacking. I feel so detached from Wendy. I like the world-building, the other characters, the clean writing, fast pacing.... but I'm not Team Wendy yet.

6. Torn (Trylle #2) by Amanda Hocking

When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself--that she's a changeling switched at birth--she knows her life will never be the same. Now she's about to learn that there's more to the story... She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined--and they'll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. 

With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to marry a powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who's strictly off limits...and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction. 

Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she's ever wanted...in both worlds.

• This book worked for me less than Switched. I'm still not Team Wendy. Sometimes I felt for her when she and Finn argued, but then sometimes I felt for Finn, because Wendy was being difficult. I liked that the book expanded on the world-building and the characters backgrounds without losing its face pacing. And the love triangle isn't bad--Hocking doesn't kill us with it like some others do... I especially liked the short story at the back of this novel. The one at the end of Switched was entertaining, but the one at the end of Torn made me feel for/understand the characters.

7. Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Published by: Harlequin Teen
(Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers!)
Release Date: March 27, 2012

Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter

Kate Winters has won immortality. 

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it. 

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans. 

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future. 

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) Kate, the protagonist - I still like Kate. She's strong and courageous, maybe not the smartest--she is smart but she makes stupid decisions sometimes. At least she acknowledges them and tries to learn from them though, so that made it acceptable for me and actually made her seem more realistic.
2. (+) Explosive Ending - I don't usually like cliff-hanger endings, but I didn't see this one coming in the slightest, and it's one of the only books that has made me go, WHAT, HOW COULD YOU END LIKE THAT, GIVE ME MORE. There was foreshadowing, but it was done so cleverly that by the time the book was coming to its end, I didn't remember the necessary info.
3. (+) Greek mythology spin - Aimee Carter's got a daunting task ahead of her. Whenever I read something about Kronos, I think of Percy Jackson & Rick Riordan, but Carter steers clear of his mythology and adds her own spin, and I liked the way she described Kronos, the Titans, and their powers. It sets up a huge battle for the third book.
4. (+) Greek soap opera? - Alright, so I don't know if I was supposed to or not but sometimes I cracked up laughing because the drama that happened between the gods sounded kind of ridiculous. This god slept with this god and this god with another and so on and so forth... but I thought it worked well because it made them seem more like super powerful humans, more vulnerable than immortal beings whose feelings are above those of humans. Or maybe I just thought it worked well because it made me laugh in the middle of this super serious time-for-the-end-of-the-world novel.
5. (--) Self-confidence - Okay, while I like heroines that are vulnerable, Kate bothered me in this novel. It's necessary that she question Henry's love for her (since that's half the battle, according to the synopsis, right?), but so, so much of the novel focused on her and her having all these other people tell her how much Henry loves her because he won't do it himself (which, by the way, also really annoyed me on Henry's part)... It wasn't too bad though because Kate calls Henry out on his behavior and that I appreciated.
6. (+) The Romance - There honestly isn't that much romance in the novel - one of the great conflicts is Henry's love for Kate - how real is it? etc. But in a way, having that tension continued through the novel made their eventual union all that much sweeter. It made me believe more in their relationship because things weren't perfect; they had to put in effort for it to work. What i did not like about there romance was Kate's constant does-he-love-me-or-does-he-not? And Henry distancing himself from his wife.
7. (+/-) Introduction of Persephone - I thought Persephone was an interesting addition to the character cast. I really liked her character, and she made for great tension.... but introducing her also made me want to slap Kate in the face sometimes.  Kate is so judgmental, and it stems from her insecurity and argh!  She was treating Persephone the way she should have treated Henry, because most, if not all of the drama, stems from his inability to just tell his wife not even how he feels but what the hell is going on! The greatest threat to Kate's future (summary) is not Persephone but Kate's doubts and/or Henry's personality.
8. (+) Writing - Aimee Carter's writing is just as smooth and easy to read as it was in The Goddess Test.
9. (+) Pacing - The book had a very clear rise and fall plot and once I started reading, I didn't put the book down. I don't remember there being a single spot that seemed slower than the rest... I did start getting anxious towards the end because I could sense that there was more, but that just made me want to read the book quicker.
10. (+/-) The Cover - I like that it gives you a sense of Kate's sexual prowess and the Greek inspired theme but it still doesn't tell you much about the book itself :/.

I'm a bit conflicted about how I feel about this sequel. The Goddess Test had a more original premise, but Goddess Interrupted was still entertaining and developed the characters as sequels should do.

Release Date: May 8, 2012
(Thanks to ATWT for allowing me to participate in this tour!)
Published by: Farrar, Straus, and Girroux

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her. 

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come. 

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn’t who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) Mia Price, the protagonist - The one person who I liked. Mia has done some terrible things in the past but I still rooted for her, because you could see how guilty she felt over it and her addiction to lightning. She's burdened with the huge power but still keeps on trying to take care of those around her, even though she too needs someone to take care of her, needs someone to be there for her because she's pretty vulnerable too. In the end, she's the kind of strong and determined heroine that you want to support.
2. (+) World building - Man.  The details Ms. Bosworth envisioned about this pre-apocalyptic world (I say pre because this book mostly focuses on the apocalypse Mia will bring) were fantastic. From the Tent to the way food was rationed to the way people looked to two different places for comfort--it felt a bit too realistic at times, and that was scary in itself. The great restrained chaos made me believe in the earthquake and the tragic circumstances L.A. has fallen into.  I also really liked what Ms. Bosworth chose to add from the Old Testament and incorporate with the Book of Revelations--it added a nice twist I hadn't been expecting.
3. (--) Portrayal of Religion - Okay, I'm totally fine with someone taking material from the Bible--I do it in my stories as well... but what bothered me was the way Jennifer Bosworth portrayed the villain and subsequently Christianity. Who always get portrayed as a fanatic cult? The Christians. I'm sorry; I'm not even a devout believer or anything, I'm just pissed that it's always The Church of Light or something like that. Like really?  Religion is a sensitive topic in general, and you're going to make the villain stem from Christianity?  I'm sick and tired of reading about how people look down on religion in this pre-described fashion.  Ms. Bosworth does nothing new for that stereotype... I think I would've been fine if you had the rescuing faction from the same religion--that way you're not creating such polarized factions.... It's also annoying because I read that summary and thought, wow, that sounds cool!  Lightning addict!  I was definitely not expecting a portrayal of religion as an evil cult.
4. (--) The Characters - There's something to be said for flawed characters... but when all the characters besides Mia are such douchebags to her, it's kind of hard to root for them.  And it's even harder to root for Mia when I don't understand why she loves these people who treat her so badly.
5. (+) The Romance - at first, it seemed a little too paranormal-y for me. Then I liked it more and more as the time went on. I didn't quite understand their attraction beyond the fact that she thought was good-looking, but I did appreciate how Mia called Jeremy out on his weird behaviors and how neither of them was going to pretend it was love for the other. More like a desperate needing in times of such utter destruction and bad days to come.
6. (--) Predictability - okay, there were some things I didn't anticipate happening, but for the most part, I predicted the big reveal, predicted what was going to happen at the end. In a way, that's almost impossible to avoid with any book with the apocalypse, but the big reveal I saw coming from miles away, because the foreshadowing was not too subtle.
7. (--) The End & the Beginning - I wasn't terribly satisfied with either the end or the beginning. The end, because it felt... a little unrealistic to me. I don't want to spoil anything, but it didn't feel appropriate for a world on the brink of such despair.  The beginning, because that prologue was unnecessary, and while I loved all the details that built the broken world before me, there was a lot of back story to wade through.
8. (+) The Writing - Ms. Bosworth was a screenwriter before this, and it shows. She's really, really good at painting these images of total destruction and masses gone mob-like.
9. (+) The Pacing - The book counts down to the final showdown, so it's really fast paced and I didn't put it down once. The beginning is considerably the slowest part, but once I got past that part, the pacing was fluid.
10. (+) The Cover - Beautiful cover that I think captures the dangerous and apocalyptic feel. Also, you can't see it from the image but there are even red lines along Mia's arms, symbolizing her lightning scars, and yay for cover designers who read the book!

Cinematic portrayal of a religiously inspired apocalyptic book.